Do Sunglasses Prevent Wrinkles and Crow's Feet?
Eye Care · UV Protection
Do Sunglasses Prevent Wrinkles and Crow's Feet?
Sunglasses help protect the delicate skin around your eyes in two ways: they cut the UV that ages skin over time, and they stop the constant squinting that etches crow's feet. They will not erase lines you already have, but worn daily they are a simple way to help prevent new ones. Here is how it works.
In this article
- Do sunglasses prevent wrinkles?
- How UV ages the skin around your eyes
- Squinting and crow's feet
- What to look for
- Frames with good coverage
- Frequently asked questions
Do sunglasses prevent wrinkles?
Sunglasses cannot stop ageing altogether, but they genuinely help slow the signs of it around the eyes. The skin there is thin and delicate, and it takes a lot of sun and movement. By blocking UV and reducing how much you squint, a good pair of sunglasses removes two of the biggest daily contributors to fine lines and crow's feet. Think of them as prevention and habit, working best when worn consistently in bright light.
How UV ages the skin around your eyes
UV light is one of the main drivers of premature skin ageing. Over years, it breaks down collagen and elastin, the fibres that keep skin firm and springy, which leads to fine lines, sagging and pigmentation. The skin around the eyes is especially vulnerable because it is so thin. Sunglasses with full UV400 protection shield this area from UVA and UVB, and larger frames cover more skin. Our guide on what UV400 actually means explains the protection.
Squinting and crow's feet
Crow's feet, the fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes, are partly expression lines. Every time you squint against bright light, you crease that skin, and repeated over years those creases can set in. Sunglasses stop the reflex to squint in the sun, so the skin around your eyes stays relaxed. That is a quiet, everyday benefit that adds up over time.
What to look for
For skin protection, prioritise full UV400 first, since that is what blocks the ageing rays. Larger or wraparound frames cover and shield more of the surrounding skin, and they also block light and reflected UV from the sides. Wear them whenever it is bright, including on hazy days, since UV gets through cloud. Pair them with sunscreen and a hat for the best all-round defence. Our guide on sunglasses on cloudy days covers why bright is not the only time UV matters.
Frames with good coverage
Three in-stock Rawbare frames with generous coverage, each with 100% UV400 protection.
Key takeaways
Frequently asked questions
